Lawyers for Ibrahim Halawa concerned at twelfth adjournment of mass trial

Lawyers acting for Irish citizen Ibrahim Halawa have said they are “deeply concerned” by the twelfth adjournment of his trial at a court in Egypt.

Mr Halawa, 20, is being prosecuted alongside 419 co-defendants in mass trial for allegedly participating in a political protest in 2013.

He is the only Irish citizen among the group and was arrested in Cairo in August 2013 at the age of 17.

The case will return to court on Sunday 6 March 2016.

Solicitor Darragh Mackin at Belfast firm KRW Law told Irish Legal News: “We are deeply concerned by the further, and what totals the 12th adjournment in Mr Halawa’s trial.

“It is indisputable that Ibrahim is being arbitrarily detained, and without any lawful basis. This boundless detention is unjustified and unjustifiable and should be remedied by Ibrahim’s immediate release.

“We have, and continue to make submissions at the very highest level raising our concerns for Ibrahim’s ability to receive a fair trial before the Egyptian Criminal Justice Process.”

Mr Halawa has allegedly suffered torture and permanent disfigurement to his hand since being taken into custody, and Mr Mackin believes he may face the death penalty if convicted.

Ireland’s Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan said: “This latest adjournment until March 6th is clearly a matter of serious concern for all of us, and especially for Ibrahim and his family. Our Ambassador, Damien Cole, attended court today in Wadi al Natrun and spoke with members of Ibrahim’s family.

“I and my department will continue to advocate on Ibrahim’s behalf with our European partners and the Egyptian authorities until such time as he is released.”